Apparatus for tightening and connecting the overlying portions of a flexible closure band placed about a package or the like

ABSTRACT

A strapping machine for tightening and connecting the overlying portions of a flexible closure band or strap placed about a package, one part of the machine serving to tension or tighten the strapping band, another part of the machine serving to interconnect the superimposed or overlapping portions of the strapping band by carrying out a common deformation thereof. According to the invention, this last-mentioned forming or deformation part of the machine consists of at least two deforming or shaping members situated at opposite sides of the band portions and wherein at least one of these deforming members incorporates means for bringing about the connection of the band portions, which means is situated in a circular orbit or path and such deforming member is mounted to be positively rotatable and displaceable in the lengthwise direction of the strapping or closure band.

United States Patent Kuoni 14 1 Oct. 3, 1972 1,981,086 11/1934Beauvisage ..14o/93.2 3,572,398 3/197! Sansum ..l40/93.4

Primary Examiner-Lowell A. Larson OR THE LIKE Attorney-Wemer W. Kleeman[72] Inventor: Xaver Kuoni, Zurich, Switzerland [57] ABSTRACT [73]Ass'gnee: mrbfiwanner Dietikon Swit' A strapping machine for tighteningand connecting the Zefland overlying portions of a flexible closure bandor strap [22] Filed: June 1, 1970 placed about a package, one part ofthe machine serving to tension or tighten the strapping band, another[21] Appl' 42298 part of the machine serving to interconnect thesuperimposed or overlapping portions of the strapping [30] ForeignApplication Priority Data band by carrying out a common deformationthereof.

According to the invention, this last-mentioned form- June 4, Sweden ingor defomation of the machine consists of at least two deforming orshaping members situated at ..140/93.4,Bl241(;/3/36% opposite sides ofthe band poflions and wherein at I I I tiilll'llllll o n n n n a I u I Qu I a I a a o I n u I n a e I c u o a c n o ii I [58] Field of Search"{140/93'2 9 1 6 523 5 means for bringing about the connection of theband 1 Y portions, which means is situated in a circular orbit or pathand such deforming member is mounted to be 5 References Cited positivelyrotatable and displaceable' in the lengthwise UNITE STATES PATENTSdirection of the strapping or closure band. 1,836,147 12/1931 Wright .1...14/93.4 601mm, 3 Drawing Figures u 8 (6 El 15 l G s 47 48 l I Q I I iJ 1 11,, m 38 4o\63 39 I Y APPARATUS FOR TIGIITENING AND CONNECTING THEOVERLYING PORTIONS OF A FLEXIBLE CLOSURE BAND PLACED ABOUT A PACKAGE ORTHE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention broadlyrelates to strapping machines and, more specifically, concerns a new andimproved apparatus for the tightening and connecting of the overlyingportions of a flexible strapping or closure band which is placed about apackage or the like, wherein one part of the apparatus tensions thestrapping band, another part of the apparatus serves to interconnectthrough common deformation or forming the overlapping portions of thestrapping band, and this last-mentioned part possesses at least twoshaping or deforming members situated at opposite sides of the bandportions to be interconnected.

The prior art is quite familiar with a number of different constructionsof apparatus serving to tension closure straps or bands about a packageor the like. These prior art machines incorporate mechanism forinterconnecting the superimposed or overlapping portions of thetensioned closure band formed of flexible metallic or non-metallicmaterial by performing a shaping or deformation operation with orwithout the assistance of a closure seal or sleeve.

The first group of strapping machines belonging to the prior art servesto conjointly deform the overlapping portions of the closure band andthe closure seal or sleeve which as a general rule surrounds suchoverlapping portions, through the use of components secured to a pistonor punch by carrying out a vertical movement while applying a highpressure.

A second group of known strapping machines utilizes clamp-shapedmechanisms for the conjoint or common deformation operation, and whereinthe force required for deformation is generated by expensive andcomplicated toggle lever systems.

Both of these groups of prior art strapping machines possess the notabledrawback, that the entire forming or deformation work has to occur in asingle operation or work step and the entire deformation or shapingforce has to be simultaneously applied.

In order to be able to generate the large forces necessary to achieve asufficient connection, these strapping machines, if they are to bemanually actuated, must be able to provide a sufficiently largemechanical advantage in order that the forces which must be applied bythe operator of the machine are not too large. Consequently, these priorart strapping machines have necessarily had to be increased in size, arerather heavy, complicated to operate and therefore also expensive.

Even if forces other than those applied by a human being are availableto produce the connection, for instance compressed air, the parts forcarrying out the deformation or shaping must be constructed to besufficiently large, strong and thus expensive, in order to produce therequisite deformation force.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, a real need exists in the art ofstrapping tools for equipment which effectively overcomes theaforementioned drawbacks of the prior art constructions. It is thus aprimary objective of the present invention to provide an improvedstrapping machine which fulfills this need while avoiding theaforementioned disadvantages of the prior art constructions.

Another, more specific object of the present invention relates to animproved apparatus for the tightening and connecting of the overlappingportions of closure straps or bands placed about a package or the likewhich is relatively simple in design, economical to manufacture, notoverly dimensioned so that it is easy to use and is portable withoutdifficulty, not readily subject to breakdown, and quite capable ofeffectively carrying out its intended function.

Still a further significant object of the present invention relates toan improved strapping machine wherein the deformation work forinterconnecting the overlapping portions of the strapping band isgenerated sequentially so that all of the force required to complete thestrapping operation does not have to be produced at one time. Now, inorder to implement these and still further objects of the invention,which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, atleast one of the deforming members situated at opposite sides of theband portions incorporates means for bringing about the connection ofthe overlapping band portions and which is locatedin a circular path ororbit, and such deforming member is mounted to be positively rotatableand displaceable in thelengthwise direction of the strapping or closureband.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be better understoodand objects other than those set forth above will become apparent whenconsideration is given to the following detailed description thereof.Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of tightening-andclosure apparatus for band-shaped closure hoops or straps;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the strapping apparatus depicted inFIG. 1, the front cover being removed to expose internal structure; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the strapping apparatus depicted inFIG. 2, taken substantially along the line III-III thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present inventionis generally based upon the recognition that if it is possible to dividethe forces required to produce a connection of the overlapping bandportions into a number of successive operations which follow one anotherin time, then each of these partial operations or steps will onlyrequire a fraction of the total force previously required at one time.As a result, the strapping machine can be constructed of relativelysmall dimension, light-weight and inexpensive. In so doing, it is of noimportance whether the strapping apparatus or machine is designed formanual operation or if forces other than those expended by a human beingare employed for its operation. In each instance, the transmissionrelationship can be chosen to be relatively small, and accordingly, theindividual components can be of lighter construction since owing to thetimely staggered force application or operation the forces produced inthe equipment can be considerably smaller. Before beginning with adetailed description of the preferred embodiment of inventive strappingapparatus, it is here mentioned that only enough of the actual structurehas been shown in the drawings to enable one versed in the art toclearly understand the inventive concepts involved. Certain portions ofthe mechanism not forming part of the subject matter of the actualinvention constitute part of the prior art equipment, and while brieflyreferred to herein for the purpose of rounding out the overallexplanation of the operation of the inventive strapping machine, theaspects thereof have not been delved into in depth since reference maybe has to various prior art patents showing these conventionalcomponents, some of which will be referred to hereinafter at the appropriate time for purposes of further elucidation.

Describing now the drawing, it will be seen that the exemplaryembodiment of inventive apparatus for tightening and connecting theoverlapping or superimposed portions of a flexible closure band or straplaid about a package or the like generally conveniently referred to inthe art as a strapping tool or machine embodies a housing l which may beformed from a single piece and essentially consists of a base plate 2, aweb portion 3 and a cover plate 4. Within the compartment 100 embracedby these components 2, 3 and 4, there are accommodated the parts of theequipment utilized for the connection of the closure band or strap, allas will be more fully explained hereinafter. Now, this hollowcompartment 100 is closed by a front cover 5 to such an extent thatbetween the base plate 2 and the cover 5 there appears a slot or gap 6into which there can be introduced both band portions 17, 18 to beinterconnected as well as the enclosing closure seal or sleeve 19. Covermember 5 is secured, threadably for instance, by three screws 7 with thehousing l,as best shown by referring to FIG. 1.

A respective guide slot 8 and 9 is formed at the web 3 and the covermember 5. Both of these guide slots 8, 9 serve as guide track means fora shaft 10 journalled in roller bearings 11, 12, the outer races orrings of which travel in these guide slots 8 and 9.

The parts or components required to produce a connection and for thecommon or conjoint deformation or shaping of the relevant band portionsand the enclosing closure seal or sleeve comprise die means 14 havingthe serrations or teeth 14a and secured by screws 13 or the like at thebase plate 2 as well as a pressure segment 15 equipped with teeth 16 andseated upon the shaft member 10. The pressure segment 15 performs inrelation to the die means 14 the function of a press punch. As bestshown by referring to FIG. 2, die means 14 and pressure segment 15 aresituated at opposite sides of both band portions 17 and 18 which hereare connected together by a closure seal or sleeve 19 for instance.

Further components are secured to the shaft member 10. Thus, byreferring to FIG. 3 it will be seen that apart from the cover 5 on theshaft member 10 there are also secured thereto a closure lever member 20having a handgrip 21 closure lever 20 being secured to the shaft 10 withthe aid of a square portion 22 and a non-illustrated nut member threadedonto the threaded portion 23. The roller bearing 11 is covered by thedisks 24 and 25 whereas the roller bearing 12 is covered towards theoutside by a guide disk or plate 26 retained with the aid of anon-illustrated conventional Seeger or Circlip lockring introduced intothe cutout 27. Furthermore, roller bearing 12 is covered at the insideof the web 3 by means of a gear 28. This gear 28 engages with a gearrack 29 located at the transition between the web 3 and the base plate 2of the housing 1. Gear 28 and rack 29 form a rack and pinion drive.

By rocking or pivoting the closure lever 20 the shaft 10 as well as thepressure segment 15 secured thereto with the aid of a square portion 30and also the gear 28 similarly secured to the shaft, are all rotated.Due to meshing of the teeth of the pinion or gear 28 with the teeth ofthe rack 29 there is carried out not only a rotational movement but alsoa linear forward movement of the shaft member 10 and thus the pressuresegment 15 in the lengthwise direction of the guide slots 8 and 9. Thepressure segment 15 thus moves along a circular track, the term circulartrack as used herein and as can be recognized from the illustrationbeing employed in its broader sense to encompass substantially elongatetrack configurations. As a result, the teeth of the pressure segment 15successively press into the closure sleeve or seal 19 and together withthe teeth 14a of the die member provide a faultlessly secured,non-detachable connection of the band portions 17 and 18. In thisconnection the possibility exists of deforming or shaping the closuresleeve 19 as well as the overlapping portions l7, 18 of the strappingband encircled by such closure sleeve over their entire width. Hence,there can be formed, for instance, in this manner a wave-shaped orundulated connection, and further the possibility exists of cutting intothe closure seal at its lengthwise extending sides by the band portionsenc'losed thereby and to bend upwardly or downwardly parts of theselengthwise sides. Furthermore, while the die is secured at the baseplate and the pressure segment serves as the male part, it is alsopossible to secure the male part in the base plate and to have thepressure segment serve as the die.

Since the teeth 16 of the pressure segment 15 successively undertake thedeformation or shaping of the sleeve or closure seal 19, the force whichhas to be applied to the closure or closing lever 20 is considerablysmaller than would be the case if all teeth 16 simultaneously undertookthe deformation of the closure sleeve 19. For instance, if a pressure ofabout 3.5 tons is necessary for deformation of the sleeve due to thesimultaneous action of the six teeth for instance, then this force canbe reduced to about one-sixth if these teeth successively come intoengagement, that is to say such force can be reduced to about 600 kg.The quality of the connection is independent of the manner in which thedeformation work is performed. What is of importance is that thisdeformation work is undertaken in partial operations wherein always onlyone tooth comes into engagement. Consequently, the peak of the forcewhich has to be absorbed can be maintained considerably lower, theapparatus can be constructed relatively light-weight and the componentsfor driving the pressure segment can be of quite simple construction.The entire strapping machine or apparatus is therefore easy tomanipulate and can be readily operated and carried from one work area toanother.

Continuing, it will be understood that for the purpose of producing theconnection there is advantageously provided a pivotal holddown plate 35,as best shown in FIG. 2. This plate 35 engages over the end of theclosure sleeve 19 facing away from the pressure segment and preventsthis closure sleeve 19 from assuming a curved shaped due to thesuccessive deformation thereof. Further, it will be recognized thatholddown plate 35 is pivotably mounted by means of a bolt member 36 andits position is fixed by a suitable non-illustrated pin threaded intothe threaded bore 37.

Since the strapping band is generally payed-off in required lengths froma suitable supply roll, it is necessary to cut the band after theconnection of the overlapping band portions has been achieved. To thisend, there is provided a suitable cutting knife 38 located at the sideof the closure sleeve or seal 19 situated opposite the holddown plate35. Cutting knife 38, or a similar or equivalent cutting implement, isarranged at the sleeve stop member 40 mounted for pivotable movementabout a shaft or bolt 39. Sleeve stop member 40 together. with thecutting knife 38 is raised by any suitable non-illustrated spring, sothat the band portions 17 and 18 can be introduced without obstructionfrom the side. The sleeve stop member 40 is adjusted by an appropriateadjustment pin which is threaded-into a non-illustrated threaded bore,similar to the threaded bore 37 provided for the holddown plate 35.

It is advantageous to provide, apart for the components utilized toproduce the connection, also those components required for the holdingand tensioning of the connection. Basically, these components could beaccommodated at a separately used device, but for practical reasons thearrangement of all of these various mechanisms required to fulfill thecomplete strapping operation in a single apparatus is preferred sincethe possibility then exists of controlling the,

cooperation between the components used for producing the connection andthe components used for tensioning. I

Now the components employed to tighten or tension the band portions 17and 18 comprise a rocker member 45 equipped with a lever 46, pivotablymounted in a bore 47 of an eyelet 48 cast or otherwise formed at thehousing 1. This rocker 45 supports a rotatably mounted tensioning rollor roller 49 which is pressed against the base plate 2 of the housing 1together with the rocker 45 by means of a non-illustrated spring member,whereas raising of the tensioning roller 49 can be brought about bydownwardly pressing the lever 46. At the location where the tensioningroller 49 presses against the base plate 2 there is provided a recess 51in which there is inserted with play a die member 52 having a roughenedsurface and against which bears the tensioning roller 49. The lower bandportion 17 is supported upon this die 52 and hooks into the roughenedsurface of such die 52 so that this band portion does not have thetendency to undesirably slide when the upper band portion 18 is movedfor the purpose of tensioning the closure loop. Tensioning of theclosure loop is undertaken with the aid of a suitable tensioning lever53 having the handgrip 54 and which is pivotably seated upon the sameshaft as the tensioning roller 49. As is known from prior artconstructions of strapping machines, this tensioning lever 53 can engageby means of a non-illustrated suitable tensioning pawl with a suitableratchet Wheel secured to the tensioning roller 49, so that uponactuation of the tensioning lever 53 the tensioning roller 49 is rotatedin one direction of rotation and thus tightens the closure strap. Thepreviously discussed components for holding and tensioning the closureband or strap are, as mentioned above, well know from prior artconstructions of strapping machines. This portion of the equipment hashere only been described in order to provide for a completeunderstanding of the overall operation of the equipment and because ofits cooperation with the components for producing the connection, andsince any suitable prior art tensioning mechanism can be utilized nofurther discussion thereof appears to be warranted. Tensioningmechanisms of this general type are well known, as evidenced by my U.S.Pat. No. 3,346,023, granted Oct. 10, 1967, entitled Apparatus forTightening and Closing .of Band-Like Closure Hoops, and additionallyreference may be also had to U.S. Pat. No. 2,813,441, granted Nov. 19,1957, and entitled Hoop Iron Tightening and Clamping Device.

Continuing, by referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 there will be recognized theprovision of a rocker-lift bolt which is mounted for lengthwisedisplacement in a bore of the housing 1. The length of the bolt 60corresponds to the free spacing between the extension 62 of the shaft 10and the rocker member 45 when the shaft 10 together with the pressuresegment 15 is located in the starting position depicted in FIG. 2. Theclosing lever 20 then assumes the position of FIG. 1 into which it isplaced by the non-illustrated spring when the closing lever 20 ispressed down over the position illustrated in FIG. 1. This downwardpressing of the closure lever 20 is undertaken after performing aconnection and serves to initially raise the tensioning roller 49 sothat the upper band portion 18 situated between the closure sleeve 19and the tensioning roller 49 no longer is tensioned and when out doesnot shred, as such can occur when dealing with non-metallic closurebands or straps. During further downward pressing of the closure lever20 the circular-shaped portion of the pressure segment 15 travelsagainst an inclined surface 63 of the sleeve stop member 40 and pressessuch down, so that the cutting knife 38 severs the upper band portion18. In the lowest position of the closure lever 20 such bears against astop 64 arranged at the base plate 2 of the housing 1, this stop 64simultaneously serving as band guide mechanism. The end walls of thehousing 1 possess an extended wall 65 at which there is provided a bore66 with the aid of which there is secured any suitable handgrip (notshown). This handgrip serves as a countergrip when pressing the lever 46down and as a carrier grip for the apparatus.

The base plate 2 of the housing 1 is rounded at its underside. Thisfacilitates tipping of the apparatus after a closure loop has beenformed around the package, so that the apparatus can be easily removed.

In order to insure that the closure sleeve 19 during deformation doesnot receive a curved shape, there is arranged and provided the alreadymentioned holddown plate or pawl 35. Since this plate 35 does not snuglybear upon the closure sleeve 19 because of the play which is necessaryfor insertion, closure sleeve 19 thus nonetheless experiences a bentform even though it is slight. This, however, can be simply avoided inthat the pressure segment at the end of its deformation path pressesdown the holddown plate or pawl 35 and thus again presses the closuresleeve 19 flat.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of theinvention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is notlimited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practicedwithin the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for tightening and connecting the overlapping portionsof a flexible closure band trained about a package or the like,comprising means for tensioning the closure band, means for conjointlydeforming the overlapping portions of the closure band to interconnectsaid overlapping band portions with one another, said deforming meanscomprising at least two deforming members provided with components forproducing the connection of said overlapping portions of said closureband and disposed at opposite sides of said overlapping band portions,at least one of said deforming members having its connection producingcomponents located in a substantially circular track, means for mountingsaid one deforming member so as to be positively rotatable anddisplaceable in the lengthwise direction of the closure band, and apivotably mounted holddown plate member capable of cooperating with aclosure seal serving to interconnect the overlapping portions of theclosure band.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said components of saiddeforming members producing said connection possess projections whereinthe projections of one defonning member successively cooperate with theprojections of the other deforming member.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for mountingsaid one deforming member so as to be positively rotatable anddisplaceable in the lengthwise direction of the closure bandincorporates rack and pinion drive means.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of saiddeforming members presses down against said pivotably mounted holddownplate at the end of its stroke in order to straighten the closuresleeve.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including cutting knifemeans mounted at the end region of a closure sleeve facing away fromsaid pivotably mounted holddown plate, said cutting knife means beingactuated by at least one of said deforming members after production ofthe connection of the overlapping portions of the closure band.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said tensioning meansincorporates an elevationally displaceable tensioning roller, andmechanism for operably interconnecting said deforming members and saidtensioning means for raising said tensioning roller prior to cutting ofthe band by said cutting knife means.

1. An apparatus for tightening and connecting the overlapping portions of a flexible closure band trained about a package or the like, comprising means for tensioning the closure band, means for conjointly deforming the overlapping portions of the closure band to interconnect said overlapping band portions with one another, said deforming means comprising at least two deforming members provided with components for producing the connection of said overlapping portions of said closure band and disposed at opposite sides of said overlapping band portions, at least one of said deforming members having its connection producing components located in a substantially circular track, means for mounting said one deforming member so as to be positively rotatable and displaceable in the lengthwise direction of the closure band, and a pivotably mounted holddown plate member capable of cooperating with a closure seal serving to interconnect the overlapping portions of the closure band.
 2. The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said components of said deforming members producing said connection possess projections wherein the projections of one deforming member successively cooperate with the projections of the other deforming member.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for mounting said one deforming member so as to be positively rotatable and displaceable in the lengthwise direction of the closure band incorporates rack and pinion drive means.
 4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said deforming members presses down against said pivotably mounted holddown plate at the end of its stroke in order to straighten the closure sleeve.
 5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including cutting knife means mounted at the end region of a closure sleeve facing away from said pivotably mounted holddown plate, said cutting knife means being actuated by at least one of said deforming members after production of the connection of the overlapping portions of the closure band.
 6. The apparatus as defined iN claim 5, wherein said tensioning means incorporates an elevationally displaceable tensioning roller, and mechanism for operably interconnecting said deforming members and said tensioning means for raising said tensioning roller prior to cutting of the band by said cutting knife means. 